The importance of Water

Water is  one of the most important substances on earth. 

All plants and animals must have water to survive. If there was no water there would be no life on earth. However most of us today do not realize the importance of water. True health cannot occur without proper hydration of the body.

Water makes up more than two thirds of human body weight, and without water, we would die in a few days. The human brain is made up of 75% water,  blood is made up of mostly water at 92 and lungs 90%. Your body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide d the means for nutrients to travel to all your organs. A mere 2% drop in our body's water supply can trigger signs of dehydration: fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on smaller print, such as a computer screen. Are you having trouble reading this? Drink up! Mild dehydration is also one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue.

Dehydration can reduce the elimination of toxins. This can leave us vulnerable to skin disorders like psoriasis and dermatitis. In addition dehydration can lead to wrinkling and discoloration. Asthma and Allergies could be caused by the lack of water restricting airways to conserve water. Also the rate of histamine production increases exponentially as the body loses water.  This can also lead to bladder and kidney problems.

A shortage of water can lead to Constipation and Digestive disorders. The colon is one of the primary regions the body draws water from to provide fluids for critical body functions. Lack of water causes waste to move slowly through the large intestines or not at all leading to constipation.  Shortage of water and alkaline minerals (calcium and magnesium) can lead to ulcers, gastritis and acid reflux.

When chronically dehydrated, cells are depleted of energy. As a result people tend to eat more when in reality, the body is thirsty. Furthermore, joints have a cartilage padding that is composed of water. When the body is dehydrated cartilage is weakened and joint repair is hindered resulting in joint pain and stiffness.

A glass of water half an hour before a meal and then may be two glasses around three hours after. This will get you in the habit of drinking water throughout the day. On average we should be consuming eight-ounce, two liters or half a gallon of water a day. Get your kids into this essential healthy habit as well.  If you drink tap water ensure that a carbon filter is attached to produce chlorine and the solvent free water to drink. Plastic bottles can be contaminated with chemicals. So drink mineral water from glass bottles. If you live in a fluoride area, back wash filters should be used to remove the fluoride poisons.

Dr. Elton Clemence practices at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, T4R 2C3 to book call 403-347-3261 or check out our website at www.family1stchiro.ca